tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19080182.post3003520129951095025..comments2024-03-26T17:40:35.508-07:00Comments on notes from dave: How Money Can Impact Short-Term MissionDave Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16777087329254991970noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19080182.post-56885968796456054002010-04-27T11:53:41.454-07:002010-04-27T11:53:41.454-07:00Michael, I really appreciate what you said here.
...Michael, I really appreciate what you said here.<br /><br />There are times when I talk with groups or pastors are asking about prices and I KNOW they WANT me to say, "Adventures in Life is the best value for your money! We can guarantee you...(fill in the blank of that church's criteria for success), a life changing experience for each of your participants, a life changing experience for each of the locals you encounter (just by meeting you, they are transformed), 200 conversions, 100 baptisms for the low price of $19.99! But wait there is more!...If you sign-up today, we include airfare, luggage fees, pre and post-field training for no additional cost! What, you still want more? For each participant that signs up for only $19.99 we will scholarship 2 students and throw in deluxe accommodations and a gourmet chef to prepare all meals to each individuals liking. What's more...there is no prep, follow-up or concern necessary for the development or maturity of your students meaning: NO Work for YOU! Of course, free sightseeing is also included in this special bonus offer!<br /><br />Fortunately, I can refrain from violently shaking them and waking them up from their late night infomercial dreaming and politely tell them what we can offer. <br /><br />Still, there is often shock at what I think is incredibly reasonable pricing.<br /><br />Chelle<br />Dave's WifeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19080182.post-64519649066375023242010-04-26T21:44:40.244-07:002010-04-26T21:44:40.244-07:00Eating is exceedingly important as is having a hom...Eating is exceedingly important as is having a home, a car that works, health and dental care, etc. I feel for the people in stm that are barely making it while us state side pastor types are doing fine financially and are price point shopping for our next missions experience.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05677287988397103366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19080182.post-15277285707010208032010-04-26T09:32:08.118-07:002010-04-26T09:32:08.118-07:00Michael, I had a long talk yesterday with someone ...Michael, I had a long talk yesterday with someone about missions and support.<br /><br />He is longimte CRC guy and he was asking me about the American model of "Taking the Gospel to the heathens."<br /><br />He wanted to know my views on this. After explaining where I stand, more along the lines of "preach Christ, and when necessary, use words" he said he thought that model was better. <br /><br />So I asked him how we communicate that when the overwhelming number of people supporting missions want to see hard numbers.<br /><br />How many baptisms, conversions, etc.<br /><br />He was stumped. He had never thought along these lines before. It was hard for him.<br /><br />Perhaps what you bring up is what a guy told me when I was working on my article. He said it all comes back to good discipleship and mentoring from the top down in churches.<br /><br />If Sr. Pastors demand that their staff members adopt a different view, and then back that up with real action in support of that, we can see change.<br /><br />But in my mind, until they are on board, telling people this is not about money, but instead, about doing things right, we will not see much change.<br /><br />And yes, us STM people are afraid of making a change ourselves, because we need to eat. Call it a lack of faith, a spirit of fear, whatever, but it is a stark reality that most will not talk about publicly.Dave Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04272431500457083818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19080182.post-45953518218091344842010-04-26T06:56:56.080-07:002010-04-26T06:56:56.080-07:00Also, we are a price point culture, we are program...Also, we are a price point culture, we are programmed to think, give me the best value for my dollar. Which in missions means I want to pay as little as possible for the most fulfilling experience possible. So, a lot of stm organizations are experience auctioneers.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05677287988397103366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19080182.post-44088155741674241692010-04-26T06:53:20.381-07:002010-04-26T06:53:20.381-07:00Its like when we Americans say, "I can't ...Its like when we Americans say, "I can't afford that" what we really mean is, "I've already wasted thousands of dollars on luxurious living and plan to continue that practice and I don't want anything to crimp my style". What we should all do is just be honest instead of saying, "I can't afford that" we should say, "I don't want to spend my money on that".Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05677287988397103366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19080182.post-1245359946360673042010-04-21T13:59:16.344-07:002010-04-21T13:59:16.344-07:00Working with Christians who lowball missions is no...Working with Christians who lowball missions is not too far off from plundering the Egyptians: it is using the resources of the unwilling and undevoted for a good purpose. <br /><br />Maybe the problem is that all of these churches are run by cheap Scots...btchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16272513156138058251noreply@blogger.com